"I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. I was not talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. YOU WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE THIS WORLD to avoid people like that."
There is a clear message in this One Truth Today. We are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer, but still indulges in sexual sin. The clear direction deals with believers who are abusive, greedy, cheaters or who worship idols. The fact is we are advised not to even eat with or associate with such people. We are also told that, to avoid non believers that act like that, we would have to leave this world. Unbelievers do not fear God and will do anything that they can think of. Believers on the other hand are held to a different standard by God and should be by man. Paul is talking about those who profess to love and follow Jesus Christ but commit the same sins as unbelievers. If you love and fear the Lord you can not habitually commit the same sin over and over. You are a new creature with a new heart and mind!
Paul never meant that we would never have to associate with unbelievers. We are in the world, but we are not of it. We are to avoid the profane, impure and unchaste whenever possible. This would include even those who profess to be believers but their fruit says otherwise. Why should we avoid or shun those who habitually indulge in all kinds of sin? A little yeast leavens the whole loaf. A little sin can spoil the healthiest fruit. We are affected by the world that we live in and the amount will be determined by our interactions. We make one choice at a time and the choices have consequences. Who do you associate with? Who do you let close to you?
The amount of time we spend with people will reflect our true belief and feelings. Do you avoid unbelievers whenever possible? Do you spend your time with those who are of like mind with you and the Lord? If you continue to associate with those that indulge in sexual sin, greed, drunkenness, and idol worship they will have an affect on you. Unbelievers actions lead to bad consequences and they will take you right along with them, if you are closely linked. We need to make prudent judgements about who we spend time with and allow into our inner circle. We choose who we spend time with and those who we believe. We are known by our friends and associates. Do not associate with people who indulge habitually in sin! In order to avoid the effects of sin altogether we will have to be patient, YOU WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE THIS WORLD!
